Monday, February 4, 2013

On the eve of the Battle of Shiloh, Union soldier Tyler Sheridan has a premonition he is going to die. That night, he writes an epic anti-war poem called “Never-ending Night.” The next day, a cannonball explodes in front of him, but rather than walking through the gates of Heaven, Tyler steps into a modern-day Civil War reenactment. Confused by a world he can’t comprehend, Tyler has no choice but to rely on a beautiful and fascinating photojournalist for help. As Stacy Sutton watches Tyler emerge from the rising smoke of faux cannon fire, she’s amazed by the authenticity of his uniform and demeanor—and then he claims to be from the nineteenth century, a mere delusion according to doctors. But Stacy’s not convinced Tyler is delusional and sees helping him as her second chance—an opportunity to atone for the death of her partner...and her past. As the mystery surrounding Tyler’s appearance deepens, it threatens any hope they have of a future together, and Stacy finds she must discover whether the man she loves is a traveller through time or a mad man lost in his own delusions.My Thoughts:

“Why would God use someone like me, with so little faith, to
do His work?” (Tyler to Stacy)

Tanya Stowe has written a very unique story from a very
unusual perspective to tell a truth that is relevant and life-changing no
matter the time period. The story opens
on a reenactment battlefield as Stacy Sutton records the brutality of the Civil
War at the Battle of Shiloh. She is on
site to write a news article and never imagines that she will have the
opportunity to make a lasting difference the life of a soldier. When Tyler Sheridan stumbles out of the smoke
of the battle, wounded and shell-shocked, Stacy reacts with an urgent sense of
purpose. Stacy is reacting in response to
the trauma of her present and her past and risks everything to save the life of
this wounded soldier.

Whether or not Tyler is indeed a soldier from the Civil War
or whether he is a modern day hero is the puzzle facing the reader from the
very first pages of this story. Indeed,
it is a puzzle that grows ever more complicated with each successive
chapter. Stacy and Tyler must face their
worst fears and learn how to let go of their circumstances and trust God to do
the healing work only He can do in each of their lives. They are indeed in need of healing in every
area of their lives. As the truth comes
to light, the risk of survival becomes very great and all too real. War is a terror that ravages both the body
and soul.

Stowe has written a very clever tale! I felt that the resolution came a bit
abruptly, and would have enjoyed a more leisurely transition between the perceived
reality and the solid truth that lies beneath.
It felt a bit rushed at that point in the story. However, the resolution was both believable and
powerful and I was left satisfied. I am
happy to recommend this book to other
readers, and hope that I will see more from Tanya Stowe in the future.

About the Author:

Tanya Stowe has written for the real estate industry, television, publicity firms and national publications. Her first novel, a time-travel adventure, Time's Embrace, was released in the United States in 1993 and internationally released in 1995. Tanya has held eclectic positions, doing market research, arts education at a performing arts center and for the American Cancer Society. Most recently, Tanya contributed to a collection of women's survival stories titled, Triumph! The Beautiful Face of Courage and collaborated on her first full-length play, a Christmas musical titled, The Night Before Christmas.

Tanya has been married to her high school sweetheart for thirty-seven years which is a romance story in itself. They live in California on the edge of the Mojave Desert where they help their four children raise their seventeen grandchildren. She says they're building a dynasty of Christian soldiers and improving the world, one baby at a time!

Visit Tanya at www.TanyaStowe.com and www.creativewritingforces.blogspot.com

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Disclaimer

I just wanted to state clearly here on my blog that the books I review are provided to me in exchange for my opinion and thoughts. I am a member of two blog alliances and I work directly with publicists and publishers at their request to review a variety of Christian fiction and non-fiction books. I receive no compensation other than free copies of the books to read, and when a give away is offered, that copy of the book is also provided by the publisher for that exact purpose.

I give my opinions both positively and negatively and will continue to do so as time permits and as I am able. I do this because I love to read and I love to share my thoughts with others who love good books and Christian stories.